Habib Fanny's Journey and His Roots in Ivory Coast

Thank you to Thomas McCaskey for helping me figure out the whereabouts of Dr. Fanny and, by the way, how do you pronounce Fanny in French?

Where the Journey Began

He is still here, but under a different name. It's up to him to decide whether he wants to unmask or not. As for me, I took a bit of time off from the virtual world. I was tired of unfair BNBR violations, which are chronicled here: BNBR V30 F5: You can't exasperate swear when they ban your friend; I had three violations in a single night; Violations: Trichotillomania-Triggering Updates. I am here because being here brings me more joy than grief. Sometimes, the ratio of joy to grief tips the balance in favor of joy, and then I need to take a break. But I really wanted to explain what was contained in the latest Republican health bill, so I'm back to do that.

Home Sweet Home in Ivory Coast

Jonathan Chen noted I was born in Ivory Coast. A country known not only for its cocoa production but for a significant part of it being produced with child labor or slave labor. Unfortunately, while there has been some progress in recent years, the situation is far from over.

Civil Unrest and Political Instability

The country experienced a civil war from a toxic mix of tribalism, identity politics, and a fight for control of state resources, which lasted on and off until 2011 when the French intervened decisively on one side of the conflict. At the time, I was optimistic about the future, but I have since changed my outlook on the new regime. It is no less kleptocratic than its predecessors, a fact that has made me disenchanted with the Ivorian political landscape. The interethnic divisions remain, and French multinationals continue to receive favorable treatment from a government that owes its very existence to France.

A Land of Diverse Ethnic Groups

Ivory Coast is home to more than 60 different ethnic groups. The land is vast—322,463 km2, roughly the size of New York state. As a child, I was made to memorize this, and it stuck in my mind. People in Ivory Coast are very religious, and a significant portion of the population, including my parents and most of my siblings, still believes in witchcraft. Failures are often attributed to curses by others, and many turn to witch doctors to cast spells.

Language and Literature

The official language is French, which explains its prominence. Interestingly, many words I used to pronounce were quite differently in Ivorian French, such as "recipe" and "dandelion." The country boasts the largest basilica in the world, built to honor the Virgin Mary, a magnificent tribute that echoes the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica but with a twist.

The construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace was a grandiose project initiated by the first president of the country, a megalomaniac who wanted to leave a lasting legacy by creating a monument centered in the country. The basilica, which was consecrated by Pope John Paul II, stands tall and proud.

I have fond memories of the Ivory Coast, but my days of actively following the national team’s performance at the World Cup have ended. I grew emotionally invested in their performance, and I often felt the need to seek solace by watching my adopted team, Germany. While I am yet to experience the joy of making out with a German girl, that day is hopefully coming soon. And the journey of Habib Fanny continues...